Snow continues to fall, UHP urges caution on roads

SALT LAKE CITY — Many areas throughout Utah were bombarded by multiple rounds of wet, heavy snowfall that started on Friday and stuck around through Sunday.

The weight of the snow caused problems snapping tree limbs and interrupting power along neighborhoods along the Wasatch Front. As of right now, Rocky Mountain Power says 569 homes in Salt Lake County are without power.

Law enforcement and emergency responders are out on the roads responding to multiple accidents.

After at least five minor accidents and worsening road conditions, the Utah Highway Patrol closed a stretch of westbound Interstate 80 so plows could clear and salt the road.

Although most accidents on Saturday were minor, there was one accident on southbound Interstate 15 near the 1300 South exit that required four ambulances at the scene. Troopers were unable to give specifics on the injuries.

UHP warns drivers to slow down and give themselves time when traveling in cold, snowy weather. They say that although the roads may not look snow-packed, there could be black ice, which was the cause of most accidents Saturday night.

In other news, the Utah Department of Transportation said that Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons were restricted to motorists with chains or 4-wheel drive vehicles. Semi drivers were warned that Parleys Canyon requires chains for travel.

We’ll bring you the latest details on the snowstorm and road conditions as they become available.